The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 10 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks allegedly involved in the unlawful possession, trafficking and distribution of firearms across the country.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja CSP Ani Iniedu said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Headquarters, carried out the operations, which also led to the recovery of AK-47 rifles, a Type 06 rifle and several rounds of ammunition.
In one operation conducted across Imo and Rivers states, eight suspects were arrested in connection with a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly involved in kidnapping and the illegal procurement of firearms.
The police said the operation led to the arrest of Mohammadu Sani, identified as the principal suspect, on the outskirts of Owerri, Imo State.
An AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were reportedly recovered from him.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Sani had previously operated in Kogi State before relocating to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he allegedly began efforts to reconstitute his criminal network.
Police investigations further linked members of the syndicate to alleged kidnapping activities in parts of Rivers and Imo states and traced the procurement of the recovered firearm to an alleged intermediary in an arms trafficking network.
In a separate intelligence operation targeting a suspected firearms trafficking syndicate in the North-Central region, operatives arrested Yakubu Danladi Pam and Abdulsalam Mohammed Hussain.
The police recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.
Preliminary findings showed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the supply, transportation and distribution of firearms across parts of the North-Central and North-East regions.
The Nigeria Police Force said it had intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal networks and further disrupt the illegal movement of firearms believed to be used in facilitating violent crimes.
The Force said the operations formed part of ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and dismantle criminal networks operating across the country.
